Mosquito Bites: Treatment and Prevention Tips

That lady mosquito that descended on your arm or leg for a taste was very attracted to you—to your heat, perspiration, body odor, and even carbon dioxide emissions. She landed on your skin with just one goal: a meal. To that end, she stuck her sharp, thin proboscis (or mouthpart) into your skin and began sucking your blood. Her saliva contained proteins, digestive enzymes, and anticoagulants (which prevent your blood from clotting). Once she finished gathering her nourishment, the mosquito departed (or met a deadly end via a palm or fly swatter).

It takes her just a few seconds to do her job, and now you are left with a bit of an unwelcome gift. Some saliva remains in the wound, and the proteins swimming around within it provoke an immune response from your body. Your body's responses to the mosquito's saliva in your bloodstream include the signature redness, swelling, and bump and are what make your mosquito bite itch so much. The swelling will usually go away before the itch; the bump only remains until your immune cells break down and remove the foreign agent from your bloodstream. But as long as that itch exists, you'll never forget about that little winged lady who sucked your blood.

Identifying Mosquito Bites

Picture of mosquito bite

Sometimes you don't see what it was that snacked on you, so you may feel inclined to get a little nervous. However, a mosquito bite is recognizable by the pale halo that forms around the dot-like bite, called a "wheal." Different people's bodies take different amounts of time to react to the mosquito bite. The reaction usually occurs anywhere from moments to 24 hours after the bite.

Mosquito Bites - A Quick Bit of Science

Picture of mosquito bites

Interestingly enough, the first time a mosquito bites, there is no reaction. As you attract more mosquitoes and more bites over time, your body begins to react to the proteins and enzymes, and the red bumps start to appear within a day. After enough bites, your body will react within minutes.

Eventually, some people become immune to bites, and show no reaction when bit. In contrast, others may develop a mosquito bite allergy and exhibit more severe reactions to the bites, such as blistering, bruising, extreme swelling, and prolonged itching. The latter must, unfortunately, deal with this allergy by avoiding bites as much as possible.

Scientists have even discovered that specific cells in the mosquito's "nose" identify the chemicals which make up the human odor; to the mosquito, some people just smell better and appeal more to mosquitoes. An extra whiff of carbon monoxide or a little extra perspiration and the mosquito is ready to target you specifically—even in a crowd. That explains why at a picnic or at a backyard barbecue, there's always one person who seems to be the main course in the mosquito bite buffet while others are not even bothered by a single pest. The old joke about being extra "sweet" to the taste of that mosquito is actually true.

Some technologies such as mosquito traps by Mega-Catch actually exploit this natural identification system by confusing the mosquitoes' sense of smell, luring them away from human prey and into the traps.

Watch a Mosquito Bite & Feed

Treating the Mosquito Bite

Mosquito bite treatment starts with cleaning the area and addressing the reaction as soon as you realize you've been bitten. A simple mild soap and warm water wash is the first place to start; afterward, pat dry with a soft towel and resist the urge to rub. Scratching and rubbing will prolong the mosquito bite itch instead of offering (temporary) relief. You also run the risk of introducing dirt and bacteria into the open area and developing an infection.

If the urge to scratch is too overwhelming, there are several mosquito bite remedies that you may already have in your medicine cabinet or pantry. Try one of the fixes below:

Baking Soda

Ingredients:

Baking soda

Water

Directions:

Mix two parts baking soda to one part water until it reaches the consistency of a sticky paste.

Apply the paste directly onto the bite and wait for it to dry.

As it dries, it will alleviate the sting and bring some relief to the itching and swelling. This is a great treatment for those with sensitive skin and for small children because the ingredients are mild and won't cause irritation. Just wash it off after the urge to scratch has gone away (remember to pat dry instead of using a rubbing motion) and reapply if the symptoms flare up again.

Ice or a Cold Can of Soda

This is a great quick fix, particularly if you're out of the house and unable to reach a first aid kit or get to the kitchen. Use an ice pack or ice wrapped in a towel to ease the mosquito bite's swelling. A cold can of soda or bottled water will also work.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is nature's gift for treating mosquito bites. The coolness eases symptoms and forms a protective layer after application that reduces the risk of infection. Reapplication will be necessary. It's good to do another soap and water wash every few hours.

Topical Creams

From the medicine cabinet, the following can relieve itching:

Calamine lotion

A topical anesthetic containing pramoxine

One-percent-hydrocortisone cream

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

If topical creams don't take care of the symptoms immediately, try taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen. It will help to reduce the swelling of the bites. For more severe cases, an antihistamine such as Benadryl will also help, but check with your doctor before administering the medication for this reason.

Cautions

If the mosquito bite does not respond to topical treatments and the skin around the area becomes warm, red and swollen, the bite may be infected. Call a medical practitioner in this case; a stronger treatment may be necessary.

Unfortunately, beyond the irritation of bites, mosquitoes can also carry disease. West Nile and encephalitis are two mosquito-borne diseases that have been reported in the United States. If you begin to experience headaches, fever, vomiting, chills, or muscle aches, you may have contracted something more than a bump from that mosquito bite. Contact your physician immediately if any of these symptoms develop.

Preventing Mosquito Bites

Though there are ample remedies for mosquito bites, the best thing you can do is protect yourself from them in the first place. Wear long-sleeved, lightweight shirts when gardening or spending time outside. Whenever you're outside for a long time, apply a safe repellent and reapply it after awhile, as the chemicals will wear off.

If you suffer from a serious reaction to mosquito bites or have a compromised immune system, try to stay away from places where mosquitoes clearly congregate to ensure that you won't become that mosquito's next meal!

Comments

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sending

Taylor

2 years ago

Can mesquitos just go extinct!?! LITERALLY and flys!!

Austin Seever

2 years ago

This is the second time this has happened but I have 5 mosquito bites on one hand and ive had them for a few days now...none of these have helped I think a hospital treatment is in order

Melody

2 years ago

I was at a bonfire one summer evening. I'd been wearing jeans and a light sweater that night, but I didn't think about my feet and had some sandals on. Both of my feet were covered in bites, and the itching was insane. The only thing that worked for me was Sarna, an anti-itch lotion you usually find by the Cortizone and the rest of the itch relief products. It comes in a pump bottle. It's over $10, but it worked so well when Cortizone just wouldn't cut it because of the amount of bites.

Batman

4 years ago

I have been to the ER 4 times because of mosquitoes first my calf then my eye then my right arm and now my left elbow and my left thigh

I HATE MOSQUITOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ron

4 years ago

Bitten by 100s 50 years ago in army

Every year rash and large sores return. Swelling in legs and other areas. Been to derms and to no avil. No one has ever done blood work. Does not travel outside must be in bblood to carry it, all comes from inside. Byopsys show nothing.

..

crystal

4 years ago

I woke up yesterday morning just itching my skin once I itch the spot it shows up like a mosquito bite but I was not bitten by one now everywhere my skin itches it does that I am going crazy!! My skin looks normal till I scratch it plz help me I did go to the beach the day before but its not sea lice I don't think

meagen

6 years ago

I found tea tree oil works

Dave

6 years ago

I find wetting an aspirin with water and rubbing it on the bite helps

Johnathan

6 years ago

Shuttle Lotion is the best stuff for bites i cant live with out it

Chrissy

6 years ago

I'm going to try the lemon juice. It sounds like the most easiest... I have like sooooo many bug bites! soooo itchy! thanks 4 da help!

Lauren

6 years ago

I go a bite on my face.... It looks terrible and the baking soda helped the itch but not the redness I just want the redness to go away!!!!

robby

6 years ago

I just got bitten by this damn creatures 2 days ago, there area around 40 bites each on top of my feet, had tried not to scratch n the itchy reduce but every time i walked the itchy strikes back. I went to dermatologist this morning and he gave me antihistamint, it works well. Red bumps still shows but believe me the most craziest things is to hold on from 80 points of itchy feelings and it has gone. The medicine name fexofenadine HCl, but better go to the doctor

Dennis

6 years ago

Okay so I have like 10,000 misquito bites everywhere on my legs on my arm on my neck on my ear and on my face and they are all red and bumpy but there is one line of red misquito bites on my right arm.I live in pa and I bmx and I am always sore I don't have headaches or any thing like that but I am very scared because of my right arm.........Please help

jackie

6 years ago

I was told to desolve Benedril pills in a small amount of water, making it like a paste. You then touch each bite with the paste, allow it to dry and you should have some relief from the itching. It did help me. Good Luck Everyone. It is miserable.

Hope

6 years ago

I found out the only thing that helped me with my mosquito bites was putting vinegar on them. The only thing is that the vinegar left brown spots in my skin and after a year the spots are still there.

Dan

6 years ago

I live in Thailand for years and tried everything cause I swell up and itch bad - One solution works every time for both repellent and itch - Tiger Balm - Use Golden Cup Balm it's the best. Also you can dip incense sticks in citranella and a natural repellent is soybean oil mixted with eucaltptus is betterr than deet. Never scratch them!! Use Ice if you can't hack it.

babs

6 years ago

Too many times I gone out without repellent on and come back in the house to find that I have been a mosquito buffet, and the itching is unbearable. Relief comes to me by getting into the shower and soap down my body heavily, turn the water off and stand in the shower while the soap dries. It takes 5-10 min. Not only does the itching go away, but the welts dissappear as well. Hope this brings relief to someone else out there.

Heidi

6 years ago

I just got bit by a misquito on my forhead and the bumb is huge. Il try this

daman

6 years ago

my home is outside area near durty draining water river i have faced many problemes from mosquito so what can i do

Eiv

6 years ago

damn i hate mosquito so badly, they always find me whenever I am.. and leave a spot for like, 5-10 on my hand, leg, n my face! i hate it !! so muchhhhhhh!!

Mignondee

6 years ago

I was bitten the night before last and woke up to a terrible and painful itch. I scratched it a little bit, just to ease a bit of the discomfort, and proceeded to leave the bite alone so that it could heal quickly. Well, the area that I was bitten is on my left arm, near the inner elbow...a terrible place to be bitten, of course, and on the back of my right shoulder. The bump (on my arm) is now 3 1/2 inches long and wide!!! I have tried Cortisone (Walgreens brand), witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, Benedril, and wrapping it up with gauze. I found out that Tiger Balm helps soothe it. I highly recommend it! I believe that it is the camphor that gives off a cooling sensation. I am curious about the vinegar though. I'm going to try that next time.

PS- Off the topic, but vinegar does wonders on mildewed smelling clothing. Just add a cup to your wash either in the bleach dispenser or directly into the load (still use detergent though). Trust me...it works!!!

lexy

6 years ago

There's this spray called sting away that not only stops the itching but makes the bump go away within a few hours.

yukta

6 years ago

that video made me scared of mosquito I'l never go out after 7:00 clock

Jay

6 years ago

I use saliva, vinegar, and some cream thing that really works.

Robert S

7 years ago

For almost 35 years I have used antiperspirant(not deordorant) for mosquito bites. If you can resist itching the bite, antiperspirant will make it go away as soon as it drys. It also works for bee, hornet, and wasp stings. Going to an low humidity environment helps speed up the process.

BillyJones

7 years ago

Vicks VapoRub (VVR)-- Reading the majority of comments, it surprising no one mentioned VVR. Within ten minutes or less it relieves itching and you can find it in small purse size containers about the size of a half-dollar coin. Tea Tree Oil is exceptional, though expensive. I also mix VVR into virgin coconut oil (VCO). Mosquitoes are repelled by these items too. Thanks for all the info here. It would be great if there was a direct response from the author of this page.

Mack

7 years ago

Take a neurofen to get swelling down and an antihistamine tablet every 12 hours or as on instructions or so and try aloe Vera or ice pack to sooth the bite site.

JB

7 years ago

one magical mosquito repellent is vitimin B1. I lived in Malaysia and used this all the time and just got back from Bali and it worked again. However, because of the rules below, this is a repellent best for times when you can plan ahead (I was at a wedding in Bali, so used it for when I had to be outside in a little dress for the evening)

there are a few specific rules:

1. MUST be B1 tabs only (no B-12 or B complex, etc.

2. B-1is water soluable so you simply pee it out--however, for this reason it is only effective for about a 5 to 7 hour period at a time.

AND it takes about 30min to become effective after taking.

3. other VERY important instruction is that it MUST be between 1000mg and 2000mg dose to be effective. there are stores who carry b-1 in 500mg tabs, but most are 100mg so yes, you have to take 10 to 20tabs at a time for this to work.

I know it sounds crazy, but this does work like magic--I've also turned friends on to this and they cannot believe how effective it is.

don edgar

7 years ago

The most effective product available to stop the itch, the urge to scratch AND to stop the unsightly and painful swelling is ZAP-IT........

put ur own saliva... the mosquito bumps will vanish....and itching will also stop.....

ihendel

7 years ago

A fan blowing air towards you is indeed a very effective solution against mosquito bites, but before the bite occurs. If you were bitten unfortunately, the best advise is to avoid scratching at all cost - slapping the area is even better. As first aid I recommend using Aloe-vera gel, but toothpaste will probably do the job too.

I just got a bite that swelled really bad, and it reminded me of the camp in January. We sprayed, burned candles, you named it. Couldn't sleep because of all the mosquitoes and was bitten so bad it looked like I had a disease. Counted near 50 only on my one hand, and that wasn't even the worst part. My legs, arms, hands, feet were full of it. Wouldn't be surprised if I had over 500 of them. I HATE MOSQUITOES!

Dorothy

7 years ago

Just got back from Cyprus and I have been bitten all over. About a 100 times at least. Should have kept the fan on but some one kept turning it of even in the car.Only thought of himself has usual.

I got cream from the Doctor and an antihistamine tablet once a day. still itching like mad though.

Thank god I am back in good old blighty.

DESI

7 years ago

It is 3:13am And it is pouring out , siilly me left the window wide open basicly invited those "suckers"(pun intended) in. THIS SITE HELPED ME A lot since this benydryl cream is not working, Aloe vera and Baking Soda IT IS

Martina

7 years ago

Best prevention, take a good shower with neutral soap and no perfumes. If you smell like BO or try to cover BO with perfumes and deodorants, they will find you in no time.

Ashley

7 years ago

Hello I was bitten by the enemy about 2 weeks ago on the front of my leg by my foot. I smacked it and killed it but ever since that night I have had a 2 inch circle that look s like a chunck of my skin was taken out which left me with a hole in my leg. Really! So I looked at it closer and there is a scrab forming and there is like green/yellowish think pus coming out of it. Yuck! I know! So I am already on an antibotic for some other infection, you would think that it would help the bite? Right? I dunno, so does anyone know if I should see my doctor or should it go away on it's own? Thanks for listening:)

Jessi

7 years ago

I got a mosquito bite on my eye. the first day it wasn't that bad but now I slept on it and it swelled up on my eye. what do I do?!?

Ginette

7 years ago

Got a mosquito bite yesterday and my whole hand is swollen think I am having an allergic reaction don't know what to do except go to dr's. The worst part is that they keep getting worse

lala

7 years ago

Baking soda works good:)

hopefully they go away soon:)

spurs

7 years ago

so itchy, im itching away on the train and people think i am weird or a peado lol......has anyone tried bursting the pus out of them? Sounds gross but it may help to heal quicker....i will try today *yikes*

wyatt

7 years ago

thank you i HAVE lots of them

michelle

7 years ago

I live in canada and i go up north with my boyfriend and his family and when i get bit by those devils i cry cuz their really bad and leave blisters that make me look like i have chicken pox which is not nice. I HATE them and they need to all DIE!!!!!!!!!

amanda

7 years ago

thankyou so much for posting this! my legs look like that persons's!! :( every time i get bit its not just one bite its tons! no matter what i use it still happens! i usually just avoid being outside at night and try to use itch medicine when i get bit. ugh!

heather

7 years ago

yes thank you for the info i have many misquito bites but i know they will go away

Marquendra

7 years ago

I was bit by a ton of mosquitoes when I went to visit the everglades in florida. I just moved here and little did i know they don't use insecticides out there so I was swarmed by literally hundreds. They sent me running. I was bitten several times on my foot which is the spot of concern because It swoll and its been 2 weeks and its still swollen. Hurts when I walk on it but not extremely bad. and moving my feet around it feels very tight. Im not sure what to do. I want to go to the hospital but I have no insurance :/

Marie

7 years ago

I was horrendously bitten last night - I had a citonella candle burning on the table beside me and also 6 Tiki torches burning.....still got bit! The spray stuff doesn't work, neither does the machine you clip on your clothing.....(OFF). Not sure wht else to try, Garlic was mentioned by a friend?????

JADA

7 years ago

This might work.

tabitha

7 years ago

I just woke up to a bad bite, I been bite several times and it itches terrible! :(

Madde

7 years ago

Thanks

Martha

7 years ago

ive got like an elephant feet with an allergic reaction to mosquito bite. I cant really walk.. i tried an hydrocortisone cream with no results.. i used also some sergical spirit.. no results ='/ and its not the first time.. twice they bit me in the face.. and i was OMG bite me everywhere but not in my face lol and also had an allergic reaction.. ='/ i was like horrible.

Hope its goes down quickly cause its really annoying..

MosquitoDad

7 years ago

My three sons loved the video. Thanks for taking one for the team.

Lilly

7 years ago

My bites go away within 1 day

Haydee Anderson

7 years agofrom Hermosa Beach

mosquitoes can be anywhere, i really don't have extreme reactions to their bites but they are really annoying specially their buzzing sound.

Tira

7 years ago

Thank you so much! Mostly for putting that picture of the bites on the mans legs! I have a couple on my legs but there are a lot of mosquito around here so i said it was bites. My parents scared the crap out of me saying i had chicken pox. Thanks to you ill for sure be able to clarify that its just bites. :) Thank you and keep up the good work.

Nana

7 years ago

Reading some of your comments makes me feel closer to a solution. I had a mosquito bite when I was visiting China a week ago. It was a swelling first and now a small wound, probably got infected. I saw a doctor and he recommended antibiotics and I am using salty water to clean it twice a day.

tim

7 years ago

put vinegar on the bite. it works every time.

Samuel E. Richardson

7 years agofrom Salt Lake City, Utah

I linked you under the 'suggest links' button. Learning more each day . . . .

DannyG

8 years ago

I find that if i drink beer i either don't get bitten at all or i get the occasional bite but no red marks or bruising appear. You have to drink a few beers every day to get this to work otherwise the effect will were off.

Also if you do get bitten try soaking you effected areas in sea water for a while.

junior lozandier

8 years ago

it just so happens i have aloe vera gel its feels much better Thanks ^_^

Samuel E. Richardson

8 years agofrom Salt Lake City, Utah

I was going to ask you what you thought of my method (using a hair brush), but as I continued reading your article, I realized that we do need to watch for complications or check the spreading of diseases. Is it okay to put a link in my hub to yours? I'm not totally familiar with protocol.

aurora

8 years ago

How the hell do you people get soo many??, i have like 15 and i thought that was bad lolll

but to be honest after reading some f your comments about having 40 on your leg or 50 on your back, the VERY painful and ichty 6 on my thigh seriously feels so insignificant and actually stopped hurting =D

just proves its all in your head =P

so thanks people

xx

KK

8 years ago

Does anyone know if bee pollen helps ward off mosquitoes?

azima

8 years ago

Wow this bite looked like one on my leg ugh now i have a bite on my butt im just gonna follow you guyz options

lorraine

8 years ago

I have 102 mosquito bites on my legs and had never been bitten before and the pain was prety intense.. not just coz im Irish...but I rubbed whiskey on my legs and the itch went away instantly and next morning they had become a purple colour rather than the angry red they were. Still itching 6 days later but the whiskey was great for the bites1

hiibyee123

8 years ago

My dad said use Meat Tenderizer. You can find it at walmart. Just put a little bit & mix it with water & put it directly on the bite.

josh tan

8 years ago

i hate those devils they ruin yr holiday i have 13 on 1 leg and 10 on the other thts just the start i hope its not infected any help would be great ty

nicko

8 years ago

ive been bitten by a mosquito on my right arm got 5 bites very itchy and red also got them on my left hand amd on my left knee is this bad is it that ross red river disease please help as its very annoying i cant stop itchng

Windingdown

8 years ago

My Daughter is allergic to Mosquito bites as well as spider bites, the dr told me to use a paste of meat tenderizer and water this helps draw out the poison! She was at her dads and didn't know she was bit until the next afternoon, she did hear some buzzz in her ear last night, UGH now she is all swollen up in two spots one behind her armpit and one in front, her arm is feeling weak too! UGH.. I put some stuff on it and ice too, and benadryl.. last time she had to be on antibotics for ten days I SURE HOPE she is better or NOT worse in the morning. One time at her dads, (yeah should keep her from there) she was bit ten times on both feet she couldn't even walk and she had a blood poison red line running up her leg it was very scary.. don't take these lightly.. GOOD LUCK to all.

Ellie

8 years ago

I got a mosquito bite on my thumb and now my whole thumb is swollen and I cannot bend it. This has never happened before. The swelling and redness are spreading down my tumb onto the back of my hand.

Is this normal? What should I do?

Daliya

8 years ago

I was bitten 5 times last night once even on the bottom of my foot, doesn't sound like many bites but they have ALL swollen up, one on my stomach is all hard (from the liquid under my skin) and red and a good 2-3 inches wide. last time I had a reaction was 2 years ago, my whole forehead swelled up & my eye was swollen shut, I'm thankful that my reaction hasn't been that bad this time but man it hurts. This was so helpful I'm gonna try as much of this as I can!

Death to Mosquitoes

8 years ago

Very useful! Yesterday I went golfing with my high school team in the EVENING.

I sprayed on LOTS AND LOTS OF REPELLENT (not on the grass), and yet I came home with 12 bites. Apparently I'm a buffet. Even though I was the least smelly and least sweaty, the others weren't so bothered. My yummy blood. Huh huh. Maybe its because im the youngest and I have tender skin (I'm 13). One bite was GOD AWFUL HUGE. Maybe 2 inches in diameter today. It's really red and surrounded by a few tiny red dots. My mom gave me this "magical Chinese medicine" today, and the itching subsided. Thank goodness.

Maddy in Utah

8 years ago

i got a bite on the inside of my wrist right on my vein, and now my wrist feels really bruised and it is red and swollen. its feels like the skin on my wrist is raw and it hurts if anything touches it.

Kaitlyn in Missouri

8 years ago

In the area of missouri that I live in, there is always mosquitoes. I'm 13 and ever since I was little I've had horrible reactions to them. I try to not put on bug spray until the first bite because of it being so oilly and smelly, but sometimes I don't even notice them at first. I always get them around my ankles, tops of my feet, and on my shins. I've never used any after bite. I just put on this cooling lotion that I get from Avon....... smells good to!!! :) ugh HATE the bites. Leave my legs looking horibble !!

Cindy

8 years ago

Huda - Take your son to an allergist. If he is that allergic to mosquito bites, he could have a fatal reaction next time. It sounds like he has something called Skeeter Disease (see Allergies on About.com).

Ann

8 years ago

I thought my Mosquito bite was a zit for a second until it made me itchy ouch!

Hoss

8 years ago

Mosquito bites suck. I had band camp 6-9, then 8-5. My dad has all the repellent in his boat- which is stored on the other side of town. I got bit everywhere- from the top of my head, my arms, my stomach, my legs, and my feet. Last time I counted- last night- I had 28, and I suppose I got more tonight. No one else got bitted, and these bites swell up- not like pink- but huge and white and stay there for 2-3 days. UGH! So annoying. They don't go away!

Mosquito HATER!

8 years ago

OKAY! FIRST of all i hate mosquitous! I wish they would extinct or something! I HATE THEM I put on spray and cream but it still doesn't work! My Grandpa is a doctor and I asked him when will it HEAL and he said like 1 WEEK!

My son, grandson & I are all mozzie banquet favorites & I live in an area where there are loads of tree mozzies. We've found that rubbing a fabric softener sheet on exposed skin is an effective repellent. My neighbor swears by the new clip-on repellent device. I think it's made by OFF... I intend to try it. I forgot the softener sheet before going out to the garden 3 days ago & I'm still itching. Nothing has helped so far....good luck to you all!

Kelley

8 years ago

I was bitten two days ago, and I have counted 91 bites just on my legs. I must be fortunate because they have not began to itch at this point. They are very red, but no itching. (Thank goodness) I felt the mosquitoes here and there, but never imagined that I had been bitten as many times as I was. Thanks for all the info, it was great!

star

8 years ago

thank you . very helpful info got bitten 2days ago. i too have very sensative skin ,and now have a cluster of blisters on my arm . understand the suffering of bites . as for the sado called PRON with abusive tone ,ever heard of karma.well it will bite you in the arse..hope it's a big mossie too....

Carla Leigh

8 years ago

Hi, this mosquito situation is new to me, since I moved from a California Beach area with no mosquitoes to Maryland where they are a problem. I seem to attract them, I must be specially sweet to them. What I don't understand is why it sometimes itches and sometimes it doesn't. I don't even touch them and they may start itching. I had a birthday party outdoors and I chose not to go because I knew I would regret the consequences. I guess my next step will be to buy Benadryl, hope I don't get a reaction to that. Thanks for sharing all the good tips for getting relieve from this annoying bites.!

Rebeca

8 years ago

I am bit evry night by mosquitoes. So bad i take benadryl tablets to help with the itching. They swell to abou thte size of a half dollar. I have tried so much stuff its ridiculos. I tooo get the bulls eye ring around some of them. What can i do besides walk around completely coverd? And then they some how go through my clothes too.

Percy

8 years ago

I'm here in Mexico at the moment and I've been bitten a good 40-50 times; with over 40 on my calves alone. I tend to have a reaction where my bites become red and swollen; I even have a few that look purple :( I would wear pants, but the heat here is a killer. To relieve the itching I've tried Aloe Vera and it helps. However, a useful repellent would be great. I'm one of those people that the mosquitoes target in a crowd :( I will definitely be visiting the store soon to try and find some Tea Tree Oil... I hope it works. Thank you all for the information.

Laura

8 years ago

Thanks for the help! I just got over 40 mosquito bites on the tops of my feet, shins, and calves, it's driving me crazy.

hannah

8 years ago

how do i know ive been bitten by a mosquito or not if, people don't react to them and get the red bumps the first time they are bitten

MozzieMealPlatter

8 years ago

I've just woken up this morning itching like crazy! Looks like i was feasted upon by a family of mosquitoes. My girlfriend has counted 18 bites on my back, and then i've got dozens more on my arms and legs.

They itch so much i feel like i need some sandpaper to satisfy the sensation! In fact that's a good idea -- anybody got some? No? Didn't think so. *sigh* Looks like i'm off to the chemist to buy some aloe vera cream instead!

Huda

8 years ago

hi, I have7 year old son, every time he's bitten by msquido he swells up all over his body' two day ago he was bitten by his neck and his neck was so swellen I thought he was going to stop breathing and I took him to the emergency. HELP WHAT SHOULD I DO?

I recently was up north with my girlfriends and we got eatten I mean like bad i have 26 mosquito bites between my butt and my knee we had clothing covering our bodies plus off on and we had off candles going outside it was brutally hot up there so we could put a lot on but we were still eatten alive by the mosquitoes Don't think we were stupid it was hotter inside the cottage that's why we were stuck outside in total that i have noticed i have over 46 bites on my body so naturally i am very itchy i bought this lavender bath soak stuff and it helped and i found that soaking in the bath soak in HOT water as hot as i could take it helped a great deal and im going to try out this banana theory will keep you posted if it works i will try anything!! Any additional idea's would be great....

Also i have heard that Burt's Bee's has an insect bite relief stick that's supposed to be awesome but i cant find it anywhere and i have heard Lavender Oil works Wonders :)

Richard

8 years ago

This is how you get rid of those winged red devil bastards. You rig a pipe with a weed killer dispenser and you fill it with gas instead of weed killer and you take ANY lighter that has a triggering mechanism. you drill holes in the pipe so it doesn't melt and you take metal cable and you attach it to the trigger. you're done. point it anything you don't like.

Clo

8 years ago

I'm going to try out with the baking soda. It usually works fairly well with bee stings. I've been bitten at least six times a day for the past week. Enough is enough. Also,

Tanya Related: Usually the "Bulls-Eye" pattern is a sign of Lyme disease. I've never heard of mosquitoes carrying it, though. Hopefully, it went away (your post was 22 months ago).

Tessa

8 years ago

Thanks, very helpful.

Erin

8 years ago

hi my names erin and i've been bit on my arm and leg. I hate them so much.

tamara

8 years ago

Thanks for the information:)

stellarbites

8 years ago

This was SOOOO helpful! Mosquitoes eat me alive! Learning about these remedies has just made my day. Thank you so much! You are a life saver!

jordan

8 years ago

i have over 50 misquito bites (i counted) and they are killing me and everything i try isn't working! the itch is still there and wont leave!! i cant sleep. example: it is 4 in the morning and i have woken up almost every 2 hours. i cant take it i need sleep!

rose

8 years ago

i think im allergect to mosquito bites nothing works i tried ice i evon tried xing it what should i do

In Texas

8 years ago

I suffer from mosquito bites terribly when I get bitten. They last for days and days! Thanks for the advice about how to stop the itch. I think I must be getting immune to Cortizone cream so I was looking for alternatives. Thanks again!

Jenny Phillips

8 years ago

I have tried Tea Tree oil on the bites, and it is effective. The antihistamine creams seem to make the bites worse/more itchy. Excema creams are useful too, they make the bites less itchy. repellant creams with DEET are more effective, but need to be constantly used.

grandprixgrl

8 years ago

i have one mosquitoe bite that never went away and i had it for about 5yrs... is there anything i can do about it? cuz it wont go away... it started out as a bite and now its a redish/brownish spot on my one leg... i need advice!!! please, help...

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